Father James serves as Presiding Priest of the Saint George Church in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Prior to ordination, he worked full-time in the field of mental health after receiving a master's degree in clinical social work from the University of Tennessee. ​ ​His educational background also includes a master's degree from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology, and a doctorate in pastoral psychology from Palmer Theological Seminary of Eastern University. In June 2017, Metropolitan Nicholas awarded Father James the Ecclesiastical Office of Spiritual Father/Confessor (Pnevmatikos). His wife, Presbytera Juliana (Schmidt), is a licensed professional counselor in private practice.